Biggest Star on the Biggest Stage

Nick Skelton on his stellar horse Big Star led off the 6 way jump off for Gold and never looked back. Riding a well calculated fast clear, he couldn’t be caught. Peder Fredricson with his ever improving 10 yr old All In earned Silver with a slower clear. Eric Lamaze on his wonderful mare Fine Lady took Bronze as the fastest 4 faulter in the jump off. That was Eric’s only rail the entire week!

It was quite an accomplishment for 58 year old Nick in his 7th Olympics. He was highly favored to win Gold with the same horse in London, but had a light rub behind in the second round of the individual to finish 5th. Big Star has been out for 24 months with 2 tendon injuries since 2012 but came back to jump fabulously over 6 rounds of massive jumps. Nick has had a hip replacement, 2 knee surgeries and a broken neck.

Peder’s horse All In was considered a dark horse but one to watch coming into the Games and boy was he fun to watch! They were the only combination to jump without a rail down in both Team and Individual competition.

Eric chose Fine Lady as his mount saying he thought she could deliver a solid team score, but he doubted she would have the power to win an Individual medal. Their performance showed that many times our horses exceed our expectations!

Nick in Victory

Victory Gallop

Podium

Emotional During Anthem

Even a Gold Medalist Needs a Leg Up!

Congrats to all and that is a wrap from Rio!

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